Posted on 07/28/2002 12:34:42 PM PDT by HighWheeler
The last few days of turmoil, sweat, fear, despair and finally, the unbounded joy in Pennsylvania have been keeping America holding their breath.
But in the swirl of confusion, the unknown, the awful thoughts that the worst was yet to come, he was standing strong and creating the calm center in the storm. He was the Republican Governor Mark Schweiker. He inspired. He motivated. He only talked in terms of success. His focused conviction that the rescuers would be successful didn't cease.
He even jumped in and helped carry out the last miner on a stretcher.
He sure showed the world how to be a real leader.
The Republicans in Federal positions should take a cue; perhaps attend a few classes in leadership and how to stand up to fear. The Democrats, who are too spineless anyway, could at least stand quietly in awe. The Dims should be showing up at the scene shortly to take credit somehow.
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It is rather interesting that Lance Armstrong also won the Tour de France this day. At 25 he was diagnosed with testicular cancer that had spread to Lance's abdomen, lungs, and brain. From the beginning, he didn’t want to be a cancer victim. Instead he called himself a cancer survivor, even while he was undergoing painful aggressive treatment.
Today marks the 4th time in row he has won the Tour. Four times in a row, he has beaten the world’s best cyclists.
It's quite a showcase today for people overcoming their terrible fears, and grabbing victory as they faced down their own death.
Pennsylvania Gov. Mark Schweiker (2L) helps carry out the last of the trapped miners at the Quecreek Mine in Somerset, Pennsylvania, July 28, 2002. Nine Pennsylvania coal miners who were trapped for three days in a flooded mine traveled one-by-one to safety on Sunday in a cramped yellow rescue cage hauled up through a 26-inch (66-cm) wide rescue shaft. REUTERS/POOL-Steve Helber
With this kind of publicity there certainly will be calls for him to advance into national politics (unless he's actually conservative, at which point the press will run away from him). I'd like to know just what we might have in store for the future.
IN the meantime God bless the miners, their families and their rescuers. Also kudos to the Governor, who did not try to hog the limelight the way that a certain Governor of California would have.
I heard a clip of a miner leader about 45 minutes ago on FOX. This union guy couldn't heap enough praise on the governor. He went on and on about how the governor acted, and was finally impressed that Schweiker would step up and carry out the last miner.
Well you nailed that one! I can also think of a certain ex-governor of Arkansas who would do the same thing.
I had ASSUMED he was, however, since he seemed to present himself quite well, and none of the articles or TV clips I watched made any reference to his political affiliation.
They only seem to do that when a Republican is indicted or under investigation, and then it's included in the first sentence of the story.
About time.
(Actually, Reagan showed'em how to lead all right, but they seem to need to be reminded of it!)
Sadly, this is the key point. When politicians are NOT running for election, they become braver, and their actions are truer to honesty and justice. Running for election phonies up everybody.
You know the old joke. Politicians are like bananas. They start out green, eventually turn yellow, and if they hang around long enough, they all go rotten.
The union miners love the Republican governor, and the survivors are talking about praying to God, loving and kissing their own wives, and missing and loving their kids.
What a great day.
http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Governor/organization.html
That's so true. Thanks for posting this article, HW.
Bump.
Nah, the Governor grew up in Levittown of working class parents. He was in local politics and was the running mate of Gov Ridge and became Governor when Ridge went to Washington. He is probably too pro-life and not RINO enough for today's GOP. He has already bought a house not too far from Levittown where he plans to provide for his family.
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